Today the Supreme Court set us back 50 years by overturning Roe v. Wade in a 6-3 vote. The federal ruling protected a person’s right to legally get an abortion and now leaves individual states free to ban or drastically limit the right to a procedure that Americans have had since 1973.
Texas’ ‘trigger law’ was introduced in 2021 and goes into effect 30 days after the court overturns Roe v. Wade. The law bans abortions starting at contraception with no exception, even in cases of rape or incest. At Jolt, we understand this news is extremely disappointing and terrifying because it not only strips away a person’s right to decide what happens to their own bodies – a decision that should only be made with their doctor – but jeopardizes our freedoms.
We unequivocally take a unified, public stance against the attack on our reproductive rights and remain relentlessly committed to the fight for human dignity and respect of all Americans, all Texans, and all Latinos. We understand this is a massive step backward that could have a resounding negative impact on the core issues we fight for every day: Education for All, Voting Rights, Respect for Immigrants and Good Jobs and Climate Change. We will not stand idly by and watch our rights get stripped away one by one.
There is no mistaking that Latinos in Texas support a person’s right to choose. Four in five Latinos in Texas support abortion rights, according to findings from Equis Labs, a data, research and communication firm that focuses on the Latino community. Similarly, Voto Latino found that two in three Latinos in Texas support reproductive rights, with the strongest support coming from female-identifying Latinas and those ages 35 or younger. Nearly two-thirds reported they would be more motivated to vote in November in response to the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would strike down the landmark abortion rights decision. Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, those numbers may be higher.
Our staff, our supporters and most of all, YOU, the people we seek to serve in our mission to empower Latinos in Texas through their vote and voice, deserve to have advocates, elected officials and leaders who will work to stop the Supreme Court from having the last word on Roe v Wade.
Jolt is committed to showing up for our gente by supporting our allies, friends and partners in their fight for justice for all. We are also more committed than ever to mobilizing Latino voters to the polls in November to ensure we put people into power who have Texans’ backs.
We ask that you donate to one of the following organizations to ensure that vulnerable communities have access to the tools and resources they need to meet their reproductive healthcare needs:
Buckle Bunnies, a group of young queer folks passionate about reproductive justice who are mobilizing Texans and getting people the help they need to get abortions.
You can donate here.
Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, the Texas arm of America’s most trusted provider in reproductive healthcare.
You can donate here.
Juntos en la lucha,
Team Jolt